Meet TROOP: Avenir’s Intelligent Meeting Management Platform
TROOP’s intelligent meeting, planning, and group travel logistics platform supplies Avenir with an integrated and efficient solution for in-person meeting management. Read More
Meet Spotnana: The Next-Gen Travel Infrastructure Behind Avenir
Our partners at Spotnana are building new modern infrastructure for the trillion-dollar travel industry, which relies heavily on technology and data structures that were developed several decades ago. Read More
In Case You Missed It… Air Canada Check-in Policy Update
Air Canada — Standardizing check-in cutoff time is Air Canada’s latest step to elevate the travel experience for all customers. Read More
FAA Issues $2B in Grants to Improve U.S. Airports in 48 States
Transportation Today — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it had awarded more than $2 billion in grants for airports across the country to help with infrastructure improvements. Read More
United Airlines No Longer Serves These European Airports
TravelPulse — United Airlines has taken the scissors to its own schedule in a big way, by eliminating 14 airports over the last 12 years. Read More
American Airlines New Routes to Some of Europe’s Most Sought-After Destinations
Afar Magazine — Several exciting new transatlantic flights will be taking off from major East Coast and Midwest airports next year. Read More
With SAS Moving to SkyTeam, 13 Star Alliance Airlines Are Offering a Status Match
FlyerTalk — While restructured SAS is now a SkyTeam member, EuroBonus flyers who want to stay loyal to Star Alliance can status match with any airline in the alliance. Read More
Etihad’s 3-Room Residence Is the Most Exclusive Airline Cabin You Can Book
Afar Magazine — Tickets for this exclusive experience can cost upwards of $25,000 but come with plenty of high-end perks. Read More
Singapore Airlines-Air India Merger Forges One of World’s Largest Airline Groups
Open Jaw — The Indian government has approved a Singapore Airlines-Air India merger. The approved merger, according to reports, is a step towards creating one of the world’s largest airline groups. Read More
US Air Cancellations Remained Low in Record Summer Travel Season
TravelPulse — The U.S. flight cancellation rate for the year thus far is 1.6 percent, despite the flight disruptions caused by the global CrowdStrike outage in July and a busy summer storm season across the nation. Read More
Dallas Fort Worth Airport Launches $9B Expansion
International Airport Review — The project, which is the most significant capital investment since the facility’s opening in 1974, will include a complete overhaul of Terminal C. Read More
JetBlue Will Cut Back London Gatwick Service
Travel Weekly — The airline will transition to a summer seasonal schedule for flights to Gatwick from Boston and New York. Read More
TSA Proposes Easing Real ID Enforcement Deadline
Business Travel News — The U.S. Transportation Security Administration proposed a new rule that would hold off full enforcement of the upcoming Real ID deadline until 2027. Read More
Most Travelers Support Biometric Screening at Airports
Northstar Meetings Group — Deterring terrorism and expediting TSA screening are among the benefits cited by flyers, a new survey reveals. Read More
UK and EU Airports Are Sticking With 100ml Liquid Rule – But Why?
BBC — Air travellers who hoped the era of “tiny toiletries” was nearly over are facing fresh disappointment, as European airports re-introduce strict cabin bag rules. Read More
Americans Aren’t the Only Ones Who Can Get Global Entry—Citizens of These Countries Can Also Apply
Afar Magazine — The United States has Global Entry agreements with numerous countries, including the newest country to join in 2025, Australia. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Avis Discloses Massive Customer Data Breach
Auto Rental News — Avis Rent-A-Car has sent notices to state Attorney General’s offices of a customer data breach affecting the private and personal information of nearly 300,000 customers nationwide. Read More
Uber, Waymo to Expand Autonomous Vehicles to Austin, Atlanta
Business Travel News — Uber and Waymo have expanded their autonomous vehicle partnership, and beginning in early 2025, autonomous ride-hailing options will be available in Austin, Texas, and Atlanta. Read More
Hotel Companies in Growth Mode Snap Up Small, Boutique Brands
Travel Weekly — Hyatt’s move to acquire Standard International is the latest example of a hotel heavyweight looking to bolster its portfolio with a boutique addition. Read More
Paris Las Vegas Celebrates 25 Years with a Luxury Room Refit
Travel Weekly — The $100 million renovation involves 756 luxury guestrooms in the hotel’s Versailles Tower, as well as some public areas. Read More
Illinois Will Ban Mini Shampoo Bottles in Hotel Rooms
The Hill — The new law will go into effect on July 1, 2025, for hotels with 50 rooms or more, and will be expanded to cover hotels with fewer than 50 rooms in 2026. Read More
How Safe Is Hotel Wi-Fi Really?
Afar Magazine — It can be. But sometimes it isn’t. Here’s what you need to know to use hotel Wi-Fi wisely. Read More
The Rules for Traveling to Europe Are About to Change
Afar Magazine — Starting in 2025, you will need advance approval and to pay a fee before entering Europe, as part of a new travel authorization requirement. Here’s a complete guide to how to apply, processing times, and the cost. Read More
Yes, You Can Bring Food Through TSA—With Some Exceptions
Afar Magazine — Here’s what to know before you attempt to bring that tasty souvenir or home-cooked meal through airport security. Read More
These Are the Airports Where You Can Currently Use Your iPhone to Get Through TSA Security
Afar Magazine — Fliers at airports in six states now can use the Apple Wallet ID on their iPhone to get through TSA security, and more states are to follow. Read More
Google Wallet Will Turn Passports Into Digital IDs
TechCrunch — The ID pass will work at select TSA checkpoints when traveling domestically. Read More
Here’s What to Do as Soon as Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed
Afar Magazine — If your air travel plans are less than smooth, use these tips and strategies to get re-booked, refunded, and back on track. Read More
9 U.S. Airport Lounges Worth Going Out of Your Way For
The Points Guy — Don’t just head straight to the gate — these lounges are worth stopping at and even getting to the airport early. Read More
New Zealand Is Tripling Its Tourist Tax
CNN — The fee, which is intended to help cover the costs of environmental protection, will increase from USD$22 to $62 on Oct. 1. Read More
Edinburgh to Begin Charging Scotland’s First Tourist Tax
TravelPulse — The money generated from the new tax will be used for improvements in the city. Read More
Government to Examine Airlines’ Frequent-Flyer Programs
Meetings & Conventions — American, Delta, Southwest and United have been asked to list any changes in their programs since July 31, 2018, including how each change affected the dollar value of reward points. Read More